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Norfolk & Region

John Picard, general manager of Picard Foods of Waterford, has all the equipment in place to open Norfolk’s first microbrewery. Now that an Ontario Municipal Board challenge has been resolved, Picard Foods hopes to pull its first keg sometime this spring. (MONTE SONNENBERG Simcoe Reformer)

“The neighbour’s concerns were addressed to his satisfaction,” John Picard, general manager of Picard Foods, said Wednesday. “We put all these issues to rest. Once we answered those questions, there was nothing left to object to.”

Both parties hired consulting engineers to examine the situation. Picard Foods paid for noise, odour and hydrogeological studies which concluded that the impact of the operation on surrounding property owners would be minimal. Van Den Heede’s engineer agreed and that was the end of it. The matter did not proceed to a formal hearing.

Van Den Heede confirmed Wednesday that the dispute has been resolved. He did not wish to discuss the matter beyond that.

“I’d just as soon not comment,” he said.

Picard Foods hopes to begin brewing local beer by the end of May. The company is working with the county planning department on its site plan.

Picard Foods is also working with a marketing company on branding for the ale, pilsner and lager it will manufacture on site. Names for the brewery and its product line have not been determined.

The facility also features a production line for the manufacturer of kettle fried potato chips. Branding in this area also has not been determined.

The total value of the Picard Foods investment is $2 million. When it is operational, it will employ eight to 10 people.

Norfolk wants to see more value-added processing facilities like this in rural areas of the county. Last year, Norfolk planning staff recommended against approving the Picard brewery because most of the raw materials will be brought in from elsewhere. Hops will be grown on site, but that is it for now.

Norfolk council passed on planning staff’s recommendation and ruled instead in favour. Picard was named Norfolk’s Entrepreneur of the Year in January of 2011.